Pillow cover

ABSTRACT

A pillow cover comprising a panel of fabric sewn together to form an enclosure comprising one open end; and a closing mechanism for closing the open end of the enclosure, wherein the closing mechanism is positioned within the enclosure at a distance from the open end so that closing the closing mechanism forms a closed portion of the enclosure for containing a pillow and an open end of the enclosure for hiding the closing mechanism.

REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims benefit of pending prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/381,273, filed Sep. 9, 2010 by Katherine Kelly and Renee Fiore for BOX SPRING COVERING AND PILLOW KEEPER (Attorney's Docket No. KR-1 PROV), which patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to bedding in general, and more particularly to a pillow cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional pillow covers or cases are typically constructed from one or two rectangular panels of fabric which are sewn together at some of the edges so as to create an enclosure with one open end. The open end of the pillow cover is typically left open so as to facilitate removing a pillow from, or inserting a pillow into, the pillow cover so that when the pillow is inserted into the pillow cover, the pillow cover surrounds the pillow on three of the four edges of the pillow. The conventional pillow cover may then be used to protect the pillow from dust, dirt and bodily fluids (e.g., sweat, drool, etc.) from the person resting his or her head on the pillow. The conventional pillow cover may also be used to decorate a bed and/or make the pillow more aesthetically pleasing.

Despite the utility and ease of use of the conventional pillow cover, a number of shortcomings exist, particularly with regard to the open end of the conventional pillow cover.

First, the open end of a conventional pillow cover can expose a portion of the pillow otherwise contained within the cover. This can be aesthetically displeasing, as the pillow itself may be of a color or have a pattern that does not match the pillow cover or other bedding garments.

In addition, the portion of the pillow that faces the open end may contain tags, zippers, large seams or other abrasive features, which can scratch the face of, or otherwise cause discomfort to, a person who is lying on the pillow.

Furthermore, because one end of the pillow cover is open, portions of the pillow tend to migrate out of the open end of a conventional pillow cover, typically while a person is sleeping, so that eventually the person is resting on the pillow itself rather than the pillow cover.

In addition to the foregoing, the pillow inside of the pillow cover with at least one open end tends to become misshapen after a period of use since the filling of the pillow is free to spread out (e.g., migrate toward the open end of the pillow cover) when the pillow cover is not tightly positioned around a pillow on all four edges of the pillow. This can allow the pillow to assume a flatter profile, which may cause the pillow to offer less elevation of the head of the user and potentially lead to a less desirable sleeping position.

Hence, there is a need for a new and improved pillow cover which provides for improved aesthetics and increased comfort for the user and which better contains a pillow within a pillow cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects of the present invention are addressed by the provision and use of a new and improved pillow cover which provides for improved aesthetics and increased comfort for the user, and which better contains a pillow within a pillow cover.

Among other things, this new and improved pillow cover performs the traditional functions of a conventional pillow cover (i.e., decorating a pillow and keeping a pillow clean) while also providing for a means to keep the pillow and any appendages thereof (e.g., product tags) contained within the pillow cover.

In one form of the present invention, there is provided a pillow cover comprising:

a panel of fabric sewn together to form an enclosure comprising one open end; and

a closing mechanism for closing the open end of the enclosure, wherein the closing mechanism is positioned within the enclosure at a distance from the open end so that closing the closing mechanism forms a closed portion of the enclosure for containing a pillow and an open end of the enclosure for hiding the closing mechanism.

In another form of the present invention, there is provided a pillow cover comprising:

a first panel of fabric and a second panel of fabric sewn together to form an enclosure comprising one open end; and

a closing mechanism for closing the open end of the enclosure, wherein the closing mechanism is positioned within the enclosure at a distance from the open end so that closing the closing mechanism forms a closed portion of the enclosure for containing a pillow and an open end of the enclosure for hiding the closing mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention will be more fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which is to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts, and further wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pillow cover formed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pillow cover shown in FIG. 1 with a portion of the pillow cover cut away to show the closure mechanism; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pillow cover shown in FIG. 1 with a portion of the pillow cover pulled back upon itself.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a new and improved pillow cover which provides for improved aesthetics and increased comfort for the user, and which better contains a pillow within a pillow cover.

Among other things, this new and improved pillow cover performs the traditional functions of a conventional pillow cover (i.e., decorating a pillow and keeping a pillow clean) while also providing for a means to keep the pillow and any appendages thereof (e.g., product tags) contained within the pillow cover.

Looking now at FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a pillow cover 5. Pillow cover 5 generally comprises one or two rectangular panels of fabric which are sewn together at some of the edges so as to create an enclosure with one open end 10. The open end of pillow cover 5 is provided so as to facilitate removing a pillow from, or inserting a pillow into, pillow cover 5 so that when the pillow is inserted into the pillow cover, the pillow cover surrounds the pillow on three of the four edges of the pillow. In the preferred embodiment, a closing mechanism, preferably a zipper 15, is positioned approximately four or five inches from the edge of open end 10 of pillow cover 5. Zipper 15 serves to close pillow cover 5 at a distance from the edge of open end 10, thereby creating a closed portion 20 of pillow cover 5 and an open portion 25 of pillow cover 5, with zipper 15 being hidden between the opposing panels of open portion 25 of pillow cover 5.

In use, a pillow may be inserted into pillow cover 5 and zipper 15 closed so as to contain the pillow within closed portion 20 of pillow cover 5. Since zipper 15 is positioned between the opposing panels of open portion 25 of pillow cover 5 rather than at the edge of opening 10, zipper 15 will remain hidden between the opposing panels of open portion 25 of pillow cover 5.

Positioning the closing mechanism, e.g., zipper 15, between the opposing panels of open portion 25 of pillow cover 5 provides a number of improvements over a conventional pillow cover with an open end.

First, the closing mechanism serves to close the open end of a pillow cover so as to contain a pillow within a pillow cover and prevent any portion of the pillow from migrating out of the pillow cover. This includes the pillow itself, tags, zippers, large seams or other abrasive features attached to the pillow and/or the pillow filling, all of which could be aesthetically displeasing or potentially uncomfortable for a person lying on the pillow.

Furthermore, by positioning the closing mechanism between the opposing panels of open portion 25 of pillow cover 5 rather than at open end 10 of pillow cover 5, the aesthetic functions of a conventional pillow cover (e.g., decorating a pillow) are still maintained because the unsightly zipper 15 of pillow cover 5 is hidden from view.

Additionally, concealing zipper 15 within pillow cover 5 also helps to prevent zipper 15 from scratching or otherwise injuring the user of pillow cover 5 by providing a piece of fabric between the closing mechanism and the sleeping surface of pillow cover 5.

While the foregoing description refers to the closing mechanism as a zipper 15, the closing mechanism may also be a number of other closing mechanisms known to those skilled in the art. By way of example, but not limitation, the closing mechanism could be a row of buttons or snaps, a strip (or strips) of a material comprising hook-and-loop connectors (e.g., VELCRO®), or any other closing mechanism which could be positioned between the opposing panels of pillow cover 5, at a distance from open end 10 of pillow cover 5, in order to contain a pillow within pillow cover 5 while still remaining hidden from view.

Closing mechanism may be attached between the opposing panels of pillow cover 5 in ways known to those skilled in the art. By way of example, but not limitation, an approximately 18-20 inch length of zipper 15 may be attached between the opposing panels of pillow cover 5 by sewing the appropriate components of the zipper to the interior portions of each of the opposing panels.

MODIFICATIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It should be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the present invention, may be made by those skilled in the art while still remaining within the principles and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pillow cover comprising: a panel of fabric sewn together to form an enclosure comprising one open end; and a closing mechanism for closing the open end of the enclosure, wherein the closing mechanism is positioned within the enclosure at a distance from the open end so that closing the closing mechanism forms a closed portion of the enclosure for containing a pillow and an open end of the enclosure for hiding the closing mechanism.
 2. A pillow cover according to claim 1 wherein the closing mechanism comprises a zipper.
 3. A pillow cover according to claim 1 wherein the closing mechanism comprises buttons.
 4. A pillow cover according to claim 1 wherein the closing mechanism comprises snaps.
 5. A pillow cover according to claim 1 wherein the closing mechanism comprises a strip of a material comprising hook-and-loop connectors.
 6. A pillow cover comprising: a first panel of fabric and a second panel of fabric sewn together to form an enclosure comprising one open end; and a closing mechanism for closing the open end of the enclosure, wherein the closing mechanism is positioned within the enclosure at a distance from the open end so that closing the closing mechanism forms a closed portion of the enclosure for containing a pillow and an open end of the enclosure for hiding the closing mechanism.
 7. A pillow cover according to claim 6 wherein the closing mechanism comprises a zipper.
 8. A pillow cover according to claim 6 wherein the closing mechanism comprises buttons.
 9. A pillow cover according to claim 6 wherein the closing mechanism comprises snaps.
 10. A pillow cover according to claim 6 wherein the closing mechanism comprises a strip of a material comprising hook-and-loop connectors. 